Sociology Revision - Marriage

Sociology Revision ­ Marriage: Decline in marriage: o Seen as more acceptable to cohabit o Free choice o Feminism o Equal rights o Advanced contraceptives ­ decline in shotgun weddings o Expectations of sexual compatibility puts people off marriage o Coleman and Salt ­ erosion of traditional assumption made about marriage: Marriage offers women a secure, settled income and status based on raising children and keeping house Marriage lasts for the rest of an increasingly long life Marriage is the setting for almost all childbearing and sexual cohabitation These beliefs are being challenged by: New ideas New laws New economic roles for women Family planning Increase in Cohabitation: o Feminism and women's equal rights o Morals changed o Secularisation Robert Chester ­ Cohabitation is merely a trail marriage